The Archaeology of Urbanism in Ancient Egypt
From the Predynastic Period to the End of the Middle Kingdom

This book presents the latest archaeological evidence that makes a case for Egypt as an early urban society.

Nadine Moeller (Author)

9781107439085, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 30 August 2018

448 pages, 188 b/w illus. 6 maps 3 tables
28 x 21.8 x 2.5 cm, 1.2 kg

'[A] must-have study of the urban character of Egypt … Incorporating many of Egypt's most recent discoveries and research, this is an essential work on urbanization in early complex societies.' Kimberly Watt, World Archaeology Magazine

In this book, Nadine Moeller challenges prevailing views on Egypt's non-urban past and argues for Egypt as an early urban society. She traces the emergence of urban features during the Predynastic period up to the disintegration of the powerful Middle Kingdom state (c.3500–1650 BC). This book offers a synthesis of the archaeological data that sheds light on the different facets of urbanism in ancient Egypt. Drawing on evidence from recent excavations as well as a vast body of archaeological data, this book explores the changing settlement patterns by contrasting periods of strong political control against those of decentralization. It also discusses households and the layout of domestic architecture, which are key elements for understanding how society functioned and evolved over time. Moeller reveals what settlement patterns can tell us about the formation of complex society and the role of the state in urban development in ancient Egypt.

1. Ancient urbanism and the case of Egypt
2. Current and past studies of Egyptian settlements
3. The environmental setting
4. The origins of urban society
5. The settlements of the Old Kingdom
6. The layout of Old Kingdom houses
7. The development of towns during the end of the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period (c.2200–2100 BC)
8. The Middle Kingdom: town planning and internal colonization at its height
9. House layouts in the Middle Kingdom
10. Final conclusions.

Subject Areas: Egyptian archaeology / Egyptology [HDDG], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA]